Although the severity of this Delaware winter may have temporarily made you forget what summertime is, eventually it will return. And with it will come trips to Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May. With that in mind, now is a great time for liposuction to get rid of those stubborn pockets of fat and get you ready for a swimsuit this summer.

What is liposuction?

Invented in France, liposuction first came to the United States in the 1980s. Originally, it was a somewhat violent procedure. Patients had to be under general anesthesia, and the practitioner had to move the cannula (the suction tube placed through the incision to remove the fat) back and forth quite aggressively under the skin to break loose the unwanted fat to suction out. As you would expect, these movements created a large amount of tissue trauma and bleeding, which led to bruising that could endure for months.

Today’s liposuction is far easier, more targeted, and effective. The cannulas are smaller. The procedure can be much more targeted and can address areas such as under the chin and the bra strap area that formerly was too delicate.

How is it done?

At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we use the tumescent method for liposuction. This involves the injection of a saline solution that also contains lidocaine and epinephrine. This solution is injected into the treatment area before starting the liposuction. The lidocaine acts as a local anesthetic, and the epinephrine constricts the blood vessels, making for far less bleeding and subsequent bruising.

We also use the UltraShape by Lysonix system for our liposuction procedures. This system adds ultrasound energy to the procedure. This energy liquefies the fat, making it easier to remove with the cannula.

Where can I have liposuction?

As techniques continue to become more and more sophisticated, the question is almost “Where can’t I have liposuction.” Our patients have liposuction on the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, buttocks, bra strap area, arms, flanks, calves, and jowls. It can be used to correct male breast enlargement, as well.

Winter is a great time for liposuction. You’ll have plenty of time for your body to adjust to your new slimmer contours, and you’ll be ready for summer. Call the team at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, (302) 656-0214 to schedule your consultation.